Public Affairs Training at Ivory Tree

We had the privilege of attending a Southeast Africa Public Affairs Training Meeting at Ivory
Tree in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.  We went on a Game Drive at 5:30 A.M., were in
meetings all day, and then another Game Drive at 5:30 P.M.  This is Grandma back in the
teacher mode helping to define the role of Public Affairs in South Africa.  
(Tom Hatch and Jerry Murdock)

Grandpa is watching the sisters draw flowers and such (and we all know how important frills
are to Grandpa) on their chart for defining the important values needed.  Both men look at
little detached.  (Linda and Ron Pugmire, Kay Hatch, and Grandpa.)

Now that's a great shot of a wild animal nearing the endangered list.  Clark Hirschi is sitting 
in the front seat and is from SLC.  We appreciated his input as we struggled to define ourselves. 
 He is currently in a BYU movie in case you were wondering about the beard.  Tina and Jerry
Murdock are looking on in the back seat.

No, I don't think he is praying that the missionaries won't get
him.  This is the way a wart hog eats.

These two little brothers sure love each other.

Well, most of the time anyway.

Still searching for that perfect picture.

He may be small but deadly.

Okay boys and girls, you will enjoy this one.  I was watching this large hippo moving about in
the water when he suddenly stood up tall and "pooped" right in front of me.  And as he "pooped,"
 he spun is tail around in circles so that the poop flew in all directions.  That's the hippo form
of toilet paper, I believe.

This is for the ladies so that you can feel my distress.  We
went into our very nice accomodation after the evening
drive and were assaulted by about 150 insects of all kinds.

Most were crawling on the floor and on the mosquito netting
around our bed.  We asked for some bug spray and they
brought us a can that was nearly empty.  But, we were good
scouts and just went to bed.  No bites and we survived.

We had a wonderful time with the other missionaries (17 attended) and then we HAD to return
to our home in Cape Town.  This is our view every night from our little balcony.  Africa is
definitely a beautiful and diverse place.  We love it here.

Our Namibian Friends on Monday

Monday morning we started the day at Welfare Square with a tour of the Bishop's Storehouse.

Members of the church who are in need meet with the Bishop in their area and are given access to shop at the Bishop's Storehouse.  This service is also available to non-members within the 

ward boundaries.  The food is funded by other members of the church with fast offerings.  

The members fast for two meals and then donate the money that they would have spent on 

food to the church to help the poor and needy.  This is called a fast offering.

The bakery provides fresh bread daily.

To be prepared for any emergency that might happen, a supply of food is stored in 
individual homes.

 Huge silos store grain.

 We visited the Deseret Industries Store where anyone can donate old but usable items which
are then used to help those in need.  They are sold at reasonable prices and the money is then 
used to support activities at the Humanitarian Center and to provide jobs for disabled individuals.

Not included in this picture is a sweet, young lady who greeted us as we entered the store.  
She has some problems that would make working in a regular store difficult, but at
 Deseret Industries she is given a job so that she can be self-sufficient.  She was such a 
cheerful person and is a great asset to the store.

Next stop--The Humanitarian Center.

Mission Statement for the Humanitarian Center.

Children as well as adults all over the world benefit from
the services of the Humanitarian Center.

Many of the clothes that are donated to the Deseret Industries
are bundled to be distributed throughout the world.   Often
the LDS Church is the first to arrive to help with emergency
relief for tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc.

Elder Roberts is visiting with a young lady from Somalia who has emigrated to America 
because of strife in her country,  At the Humanitarian Center, she is taught English skills, 
given a job, and when ready, is helped to find a job suitable to her individual needs.  People 
from all over the world are helped to find a new life in America.

A focus of the Church is to teach Self-Reliance. 

Volunteers are making quilts to send where needed, especially for relief to areas
of disasters.

Wheel Chairs are being donated for children and adults.  Chairman Kapere and Brother Bennion
discuss some of the needs in Namibia and Chairman Kapere shares current progress he personally
has made in providing wheel chairs to those in need in his country.

Following are some of the areas
of focus for The Humanitarian Center.

Significant aid has been sent to Namibia the past several years.

We then had an enjoyable lunch and Senator Waddops, President of the Utah Senate, joined us.  He
and Chairman Kapere shared thoughts and experiences concerning education and the importance
of the family.  They both agreed that early childhood education and nurturing of children is paramount to maintain a healthy society in a country.

A short drive to Provo, Utah and we visited the MTC
(Missionary Training Center) for the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.  

Chairman Kapere asked the missionaries, "Why do you want to go to Africa for two years?"  
And the reply was, "Because we want to serve the people and be of help in the country that
we are sent."

All of these young missionaries will be serving in Portuguese speaking countries.  Many of the 
young Elders are going to Angola and they will be the first full time Elders in that country.

What a wonderful week-end we experienced.  Our daughter Heather was able to join us for 

our last meal together which was such a treat for us to have here there.   We came to love these 

two great government leaders as brothers and we look forward to a life-long friendship with 

them. We desire unity and love between The Church of Jesus Christ and the Namibian Government.

Hosting Asser Kapere to Salt Lake City

One of our opportunities as Public Affairs Missionaries is to host prominent government
leaders to Salt Lake City.  Namibia has issues related to our missionaries and their visas.
The Honourable Asser Kapere is the Chairman of the National Counsel, Parliament of
Namibia.  That's equivalent to the President of the Senate in our National Government.  We
invited him to come to Salt Lake and we were delighted when he accepted.  So we flew
 home on October 23, 2012, to help with hosting activities.

Himuvi Mbingeneeko, assistant to Chairman Kapere, Brother Steven Bennion, The Honourable
Chairman Asser Kapere of Namibia, and Sister and Elder Roberts.

Our introduction to the Church at Temple Square was to attend the Music and Spoken Word
Performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Chairman Kapere and Himuvi were introduced
as special guests from Namibia.  The choir was outstanding and we especially enjoyed the rendition
of "Nearer My God to Thee."

We then met two young sister missionaries who led us on a
tour of temple square.  We viewed the exhibits in the visitor's
center and learned a little of the Mormon History.

The temple is an integral part of the Church. 

We met Lloyd Newell which was a pleasant surprise.  He was
 so warm and friendly.   Many stopped to shake hands with our 
guests and to welcome them to Utah.

The Assembly Hall, which was one of the first buildings erected in Utah by the early saints.

Our tour continued past the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle, which was where we heard the Tabernacle Choir
perform, was built in the 1870's.  One interesting fact is that they
used wooden pegs instead of nails. 

We then moved to the other Visitor's Center and enjoyed numerous pictures telling the story of
Jesus' MInistry on Earth.

And a highlight of the day was to stand before this beautiful statue of Jesus,
unified as friends who love our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

We then went across the street to see the Conference Center.  They had just had a
Latino Celebration and the decorations were all in place.  The size of this building is
impressive and there is no admission charge for any performance.

We went to the top of the building and enjoyed the view
of Salt Lake City

and the temple in the background.

Our last event for the day was to cross the street again to the
Joseph Smith Building and attend a Sacrament Meeting.
Chairman Kapere was surprised that the main speakers were
a newly married husband and wife and that they were so
articulate and knowledgable about their religion.